Rising Property Taxes Across U.S.
Lead to a Slew of Ballot Initiatives

By

Ray A. Smith Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated Oct. 25, 2004 12:01 a.m. ET

Rising property taxes across the U.S. are prompting a tidal wave of citizen-led tax-reform efforts as well as a slew of ballot initiatives. A week from tomorrow, voters across the country will cast ballots on measures, many of which will affect how much they pay in property taxes, and how those taxes are used.

The efforts share a common theme: that reliance on property taxes, which have jumped 10% on average in the past few years, is an outdated and sometimes unfair way to fund local services. The situation is a flashback...